Premier League predictions: Gameweek 21

The winter break means Gameweek 21 of the 2023/24 Premier League season is split across two weekends, but good things come to those who wait with some mouth-watering fixtures in store.

Current leaders Liverpool aren’t in action until a week on Sunday when they take on Bournemouth, with Aston Villa, Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham all hoping to close the gap before the Reds travel down to the south coast.

A true relegation six-pointer kicks off the action on Friday night, while Manchester United, Chelsea and Newcastle United are all desperate for wins to make up ground on the top four.

Here’s how 90min sees Gameweek 21 playing out.

Liverpool came from behind to beat Fulham in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final / Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/GettyImages

Friday night sees two relegation-threatened sides do battle when Burnley and Luton Town collide at Turf Moor. The Clarets have the worst home record in the top flight so far this season while the Hatters have visited strugglers like Everton and Sheffield United and taken home the points on both occasions. A similar scenario could play out to kick off the first weekend’s action.

The first of Saturday’s two games involves the two teams who lost the first legs of their Carabao Cup semi-finals as Chelsea look to bounce back against local rivals Fulham. The Cottagers couldn’t hold onto their lead at Anfield but will want to cut the gap between them and the Blues to a point with victory at Stamford Bridge.

With not a 15:00 GMT kick-off in sight over the two weekends, there’s a little break until the evening when Manchester City visit similarly cash-rich Newcastle United. Eddie Howe is still battling an injury crisis at St James’ Park, while Kevin De Bruyne is fit again for Pep Guardiola. Erling Haaland could even make his return, which would make the Magpies’ prospects of victory that much more bleak.

Sean Dyche has seen his Everton side go five games without a win in all competitions after four straight victories lifted them out of the relegation zone despite their ten-point penalty. The Toffees have become defensively resilient but might be on the losing side once again when second-placed Aston Villa arrive on Merseyside.

Erik ten Hag managed to avoid fuelling more speculation over his future as Manchester United manager by securing progression in the FA Cup on Monday, though it might mean little if his side are dismantled by Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham. However, Spurs are still without some key operators and don’t boast a great record at Old Trafford in recent years, the 3-0 and 6-1 triumphs of 2018 and 2020 respectively aside.

Date

Kick-off Time (GMT)

Fixture & Prediction

12/01/2024